Mount Damavand
Mount Damāvand (Persian: دماوند [dæmɒːvænd]), a potentially active volcano, is a stratovolcano which is the highest peak in Iran and the Middle East as well as the highest volcano in Asia (the Kunlun Volcanic Group in Tibet has a higher elevation than Damāvand, but are not considered to be volcanic mountains). It has a special place in Persian mythology and folklore. This peak is located in the middle of the Alborz range, adjacent to Varārū, Sesang, Gol-e Zard and Mīānrūd. The mountain is located near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, in Amol County, Mazandaran Province, 66 kilometres (41 miles) northeast of the city of Tehran.
Symbolism and mythology
Damavand is a significant mountain in Persian mythology. It is the symbol of Iranian resistance against despotism and foreign rule in Persian poetry and literature. In Zoroastrian texts and mythology, the three-headed dragon Aži Dahāka was chained within Mount Damāvand, there to remain until the end of the world. In a later version of the same legend, the tyrant Zahhāk was also chained in a cave somewhere in Mount Damāvand after being defeated by Kāveh and Fereydūn. Persian poet Ferdowsi depicts this event in his masterpiece, the Shahnameh:
Iranian frigate Damavand
Damavand (Persian: ناوشکن دماوند), also known as Jamaran-2 (جماران ۲) and Velayat (ناوشکن ولایت), is the second ship of the Iranian Moudge class of frigates. The class appears to be a development of the Alvand class. The ship was named Damavand after inauguration in the Caspian Sea. It is now undergoing sea trials.
Design and construction
On 23 February 2010, the Iranian media reported that the production of the ship had commenced. The ship has the ability to carry helicopters, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, modern guns and air defence guns. The vessel is also equipped with electronic warfare devices.
The warship uses a new modern flat-type, phased array radar, which was being tested in 2011. The development of this new device took more than it was anticipated and delayed the launch of the vessel to March 2013. The fire control radar is also replaced by a modern radar dome. New sensors, e-warfare devices and radars are also installed on the vessel, further enhancing its capabilities. The frigate has a central attack and warfare management command control system integrated inside its systems, allowing the ship to track 100 surface, sub-surface, and air targets simultaneously and choose the best in-order to attack them.
Damavand, Iran
Damavand (Persian: دماوند, also Romanized as Damāvand and Demāvend; also known as Qaşabeh-e Damāvand) is a city in and the capital of Damavand County, Tehran Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 56,315, in 11,279 families.
Damavand is an ancient and historic city. The name Damavand appears in Sassanid texts (as Dunbawand), and Parthian remains have been found there. The city fell to Arab Muslim invaders in 651 CE. It is close to Iran's tallest peak Mount Damavand, which Ferdowsi mentions abundantly in the Shahnameh. The city has relatively cool weather year round.
Main sights
Damavand contains 37 historical tombs (Imamzadeh), 27 castle ruins, 23 traditional houses of architectural significance, 18 traditional bath houses, 6 caves, 5 historical bridges, 3 historical mosques, and 3 caravanserais.
The main landmarks are the Friday Mosque (15th century) and the Sheikh Shebli Mausoleum and Tower, dating to the Seljuq era.
Transportation
Damavand can be reached by road from Firuzkuh via Gilavand and from Haraz road, via Mosha.
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